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This Jimmyfication of a Chevy is not as bad as the ’56 we looked at recently, but it sure doesn’t improve on the original.
13 Comments on “Curbside Classic Outtake: ’51 Chevy Truck’s Taller and Uglier Brothers...”
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Why is the grille so low on the red one?
It’s not the grill is low; the rest of the cab is high (and much further forward). If you see one in person, you’ll notice that the cab is much shorter than a regular pickup cab.
To be fair that’s a 54 or 55 GMC. The 54 and 55 Chevy Advanced Design pickups had a more garish grille too. The 51 GMC is a little more restrained. Note: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/3071412504_2e0d455195.jpg I think the main argument for GMC at the time (at least for purchasing one, not necessarily for its existence) was that they had slightly larger, more powerful engines with full pressure oiling, so they were perceived as a slightly heavier duty truck.
yeah, this was back when there were real differences between GMC’s and Chevy’s. I kind of like the slightly blingy GMC look, but I agree that the ’53 and earlier Advanced Design GMC’s were better. Kinda seems like they had to modify GMC cuz the Chev front end changed a lot, but they weren’t quite sure what to do with it.
You could even get the HydraMatic in a GMC back then. It wasnt until ’67 that GMC only meant different emblems and grille.
Those “cab over” designs, and the Ford was uglier, allowed a longer cargo area for a given wheelbase and overall length, especially important in urban environments.
Hey, you found To’ Mater !
Taller? Definitely. Uglier? Probably.
But loaded, loaded, LOADED with character!!!
Now I’m really really jealous. I would so like to photograph one just like it, but I’ve ***never*** even seen one. I’m tempted to fly out just to shoot it.
Question for the ages: On such a tall truck, why were the outside door handles mounted at the same “belt line” level as on normal trucks and not closer to the ground? Was it because they used the same door stampings?
Yes; this is GM after all.
About 10 years ago, these old COE trucks where becoming popular with show car owners who wanted to build a custom hauler that matched a similar era to their cars. They were getting the real long wheelbase models and putting car hauling flatbeds and modern diesel drive trains in them. Always thought they looked pretty cool.
Saw a couple of them at Back to the Fifties in St.Paul in June. Plus a sectioned one with a rear engine. (looks better than it sounds) Check it out.
Maybe I’ve gone wrong in the head, maybe I’ve had too much to drink, but that red truck is a beauty. Chunky tires, faded paint and airhorns – it just looks like the business – a real rat truck. I want that parked on my driveway.
That red truck is freakin’ awesome. Someone needs to do what they call a sympathetic restoration on it (DON’T TOUCH THAT PATINA!) and cruise around in it. What a hoot that would be.
Seriously, SOMEONE needs to let go of that T100 notion and do something about this.